Overview

In this pioneering book, in turns poetic and philosophical, Nagapriya shows how the insights into the existential condition offered by Shinran can transform our understanding of what Buddhist practice consists in, and what it means to awaken to our ultimate concern. Shinran (1173 – 1263) is one of the most important thinkers of Japanese Buddhist history, and founder of the Jōdo Shinshū Pure Land school. Nagapriya explores Shinran’s spirituality and teachings through close readings, confessional narrative, and thoughtful interpretation. This book is an invitation to reimagine Shinran’s religious universe, not for the sake of historical curiosity, but as an exercise that has the potential to remake us in the light of our ultimate concerns.

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9781911407904

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Reviews

As a priest and an academic in the Jodo Shinshu or Shin Buddhist tradition, I am honoured and pleased to recommend this impressive book by Nagapriya to the English-speaking world. What makes this book even more impressive is that the author is not, in the usual sense of the word, an 'insider' of the tradition. Nevertheless, he has, in my view, accurately presented Shinran doctrinally as a scholar but also spiritually as a seeker of the Dharma. - Kenneth K. Tanaka, Professor Emeritus, Musashino University, Tokyo, Past President, International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies (from the Foreword) This book is a major contributor to the growing literature on Shinran for a non-Japanese audience....In sum, along with its rich intellectualism, mediated through the author's own sensibility of existential insufficiency, the book is an astonishing, highly poetic, magical, mystical, personal, emotional, and even confessional encounter with Shinran, which strikes a brilliantly fresh note. This book should become a foundational stepping stone into a new era of engagement in the English-language world with this seminal Japanese thinker. - Galen Amstutz, Adjunct Instructor, Institute of Buddhist Studies/Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, USA This book is both personal and universal... inspiring questions in the reader that delve deep into the heart of the self. Many of these questions gently challenge modern assumptions about the value of independence and self-sufficiency, pointing instead to Shinran's emphasis on the centrality of other-power and the impact of spiritual connection. This very readable book will particularly aid those new to Shinran's works in appreciating their spiritual depth, but it will be of interest to practitioners from all Buddhist schools, as it offers new perspectives on Buddhist fundamentals. - Caroline Brazier is a priest in the Jodo Shinshu tradition and a psychotherapist. She is the author of seven books on Buddhism and therapy. For Exploring Karma and Rebirth: An excellent introduction to the complex and frequently misinterpreted Buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth. - Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs For Visions of Mahayana Buddhism: A very helpful introduction and overview of this complex, fascinating tradition. - David R Loy, author of Money, Sex, War, Karma

Author Information

Nagapriya was born in the UK in 1969. While studying for a philosophy degree, he began practising with the Triratna Buddhist Community and was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1992. He later studied for a master's degree in the history of religions. Since 2013 Nagapriya has been living in Mexico, where he is chair of the Cuernavaca Buddhist Centre.

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